Customizable Escalator

thingiverse

A newer version of this design is available here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1911788. This is my first design that incorporates moving parts, a fully customizable simple escalator. When excluding the steps, it can also be used as a conveyor belt or possibly tank tracks without the chassis. Before printing everything, it's best to print a few chain links to test if they function correctly. When utilizing multiple links per step, the chain link with the socket on top can be used to connect both the horizontal and vertical components of one step, while the link without the socket can be used in between steps. The pulley should be sufficiently large to accommodate the chain with mounted steps that can bend around it, so it's best to print a pulley next to test this out. The pulleys with the mounted chain are positioned on the axes in a way that the hole in the chassis aligns with the square hole of one of the pulleys. Make sure the pulleys rotate smoothly. You'll need 6 pins to assemble the chassis and attach the handle. Inserting the pins can be quite challenging, so it's best to do it carefully with a hammer. When the chassis is assembled, the crank can be connected to the handle and mounted through the hole of the chassis using a pin. Animated gif